Diblo Dibala & Matchatcha(Congo-Kinshasa)

Frank Bessem's Musiques d'Afrique

Diblo Dibala became famous in the 1980s as the solo guitarist of
Kanda Bongo Man. Long before that, when he was still in Zaire, he had
already played with Franco's TPOK Jazz, and groups like Vox Africa
and Orchestre Bella Bella.

In 1986, he left Kanda Bongo Man's band to join Loketo, a Zairean super band of that decade
headed by singer Aurlus Mabele, with Mav Cacharel and
Mack Macaire as other members.

In 1990, he created Matchatcha with Freddy de Majunga on rhythm guitar
and Miguel Yamba on bass, as well as Antoinette Yelessa and
Joelle Esso. The band name was derived from a plant of the Zairean
tropical forest causing a strong burning feeling after skin contact. This is exactly what
happens when listening to the music of Matchatcha, burning and steaming soukous,
with the outstanding qualities of Diblo as a solo guitar player. This is music for the dancefloor!

Matchatcha underwent several personel changes over the years but Diblo Dibala managed to keep the band together.
Apart from his solo albums, he is frequently asked to work as a studio guitarist on numerous
African CDs.